This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Bakri Moussa Mohammed, a Darfuri activist, is at imminent risk of execution in Khartoum. He was recently informed that his 10 year prison sentence was revised to a death sentence.

On 11 January 2010 Bakri Moussa Mohammed was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the South Darfur appeal court for his alleged participation in a murder. He had previously been involved in protests against the repression of displaced people by the security services in South Darfur. His family believe he was arrested and sentenced in retaliation for his activism. He is currently detained in the Kober prison in Khartoum.

On 31 December, a police officer within the prison informed Bakri Moussa Mohammed that his prison sentence had been revised to a death sentence. On the same day, he was transferred to death row and reportedly brought to the gallows on three occasions. Following this, he was informed that the execution would be postponed for 35 days. The deadline has passed and Bakri Moussa Mohammed is at imminent risk of execution. The family of Bakri Moussa Mohammed is unaware of any recent court hearing on this case, and believe that the decision to revise the sentence was taken by the prison administration, in violation of fair trial standards.

Trials for crimes carrying the death penalty must comply with the most rigorous internationally recognized standards for fair trial. International law prohibits any execution carried out after a trial which does not meet international fair trial standards as a violation of the right to life.